Blog: Living the Dream with Lydia

11, August 2017

Going into the Scottish Girls’ Amateur Championship at Drumoig and Scotscraig at the start of July, I could only have dreamed where my performance would take me.

Thanks to Aberdeen Asset Management, Official Team Sponsors of the Scotland National Squads, the best gross scores at boys and girls level for the 36 qualifying holes sealed spots in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Ladies Pro-Am at Dundonald Links on Wednesday 26 July. That was a great incentive for everyone in the field.

Thankfully, I won the qualifying, so it was great to have the Pro-Am to look forward to. I was excited for the opportunity as I’ve never really played in anything like that. I was really looking forward to a different experience.

Come the day, I played with Under-18 boys’ player Marc Watt, Stephen Docherty from Aberdeen Asset Management and a rather famous name… Lydia Ko!

The nerves began when I knew I was playing with Lydia. I was straight on the range, trying not to play bad! It was great to get the draw, as I wasn’t expecting it all. She is someone I’ve looked up to, winning as much as she has being so young and reaching world No 1. It was amazing to be alongside her.

I also look up to Charley Hull the way she is so chilled, does her own thing and it works.

I was feeling okay on the first tee with Lydia, but after I actually hit the ball it kind of sunk in. I was then happy to walk off the first! I played actually quite well, birdied holes two and three and then I think I was about one under for the front nine so I did well. I was off different tees to the others, so that gave me a better chance too.

I asked Lydia things like what she does on a normal day training, where she has been to the past few events and general stuff about her golf. She was very friendly, I really couldn’t have played with anyone better. I’m 17 years of age and I’m sure in a few years’ time I’ll think back, did I really do that!

Duncan, Watt, Docherty and Ko at Dundonald Links

From the experience, I’m now more open minded as if Lydia had a bogey she didn’t seem that bothered about it, she simply bounced back. I’m trying to keep calm about those things in my golf game now and not let it bother me as much.

It’s certainly an experience I hope to use going forward, as I don’t think anything can top that.

My handicap is one. I first started playing at West Kilbride in 2010, so I think I’ve developed fairly quickly. 2015 was only my first Scottish Girls, so I’m definitely progressing well.

I’m going to Edinburgh University to do PE teaching now, having just left school. I’m keen to stay in sport as I enjoy it… and I’ll always have that day with Ko!

By Louise Duncan, National Girls’ squad member who competed at this week’s Girls’ Home Internationals